Eagle Bulk carrier 'hit from above by a missile' off Yemen

A statement from the US-headquartered company said, "Eagle Bulk Shipping, operator of Gibraltar Eagle, confirms that earlier today the vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile while approximately 100 miles offshore in the Gulf of Aden. As a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area. All seafarers on board the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured. The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products. Eagle Bulk management is in close contact with all relevant authorities concerning this matter."

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) service initially reported a missile strike on a merchant ship 95 nautical miles southeast of Yemen. 

Citing a report from the vessel’s captain, UKMTO said, "Master reports port side of vessel hit from above by a missile. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO."

UK-based maritime security firm Ambrey told Reuters the "ship remained seaworthy and no injuries were reported" after the missile "reportedly caused a fire in the hold". Three missiles were fired in total, according to the report.

Ship valuation service VesselsValue shows 64,000-dwt, Marshall Islands-flagged Eagle Bulk carrier Gibraltar Eagle in the general vicinity of the reported missile strike, with the latest AIS report from just after 13:00 on 15 January saying the vessel is under way, sailing fully laden with an armed guard escort on board.

The latest attack in the Red Sea region follows shortly after the United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) military service reported that "an anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward the US warship USS Laboon in the southern Red Sea" on 14 January.

"The missile was shot down in vicinity of the coast of Hudaydah by US fighter aircraft. There were no injuries or damage reported," CENTCOM said.

US and British forces backed by several other countries in the Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition conducted a series of strikes against Houthi military facilities in Yemen on 12-13 January. 

Military services and intelligence analysts have attributed nearly 30 attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea region to the Houthi militia. 

• US and UK bomb Houthi military facilities in Yemen
• US announces shipping sanctions aimed at Houthis, Iran
• As Red Sea attacks continue, Maersk to divert ships ’for the foreseeable future’
• Red Sea attacks: US forms 10-country naval coalition dubbed ’Operation Prosperity Guardian’
• Houthis hit Norwegian tanker in Red Sea after threatening all ships heading to Israel

US CENTCOM said "On Jan 15 at approximately 4 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned and operated [dry cargo] ship. The ship has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey. Earlier in the day, at approximately 2 p.m. (Sanaa time), US forces detected an anti-ship ballistic missile fired toward the Southern Red Sea commercial shipping lanes. The missile failed in flight and impacted on land in Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported."

Eagle Bulk acquired Gibraltar Eagle about a year ago, announcing the acquisition of a 2015-built modern, Ultramax bulk carrier on 5 January 2023, purchased at a coast of US$24M. 

"The vessel, which was constructed at the Chengxi Shipyard Co, Ltd, will be renamed Gibraltar Eagle and is expected to be delivered to the company during the first quarter of 2023," the company said at the time.

Eagle Bulk is in the midst of an acquisition by Star Bulk, a deal which, once complete, will create the largest pure bulk player in shipping. Eagle Bulk Shipping is one of the world’s largest owner-operators within the midsize dry bulk vessel segment. The all-stock merger with Star Bulk will see a combined company, which will trade under the brand Star Bulk Carriers Corporation, led by Star Bulk chief executive Petros Pappas and boasting a fleet of 169 bulkers and a market capitalisation of around US$2.1Bn.